High praise: Whitner discusses Tolzien in Saintly terms

The young, reserve quarterback who carves up second- and third-stringers during the preseason is always an immensely popular figure among fans.

In the case of 49ers quarterback Scott Tolzien, however, it’s worth noting that his veteran teammates also think highly – quite highly – of the 25-year-old’s ability.

Here’s safety Donte Whitner’s nickname for Tolzien: Baby Drew Brees.

Comparing Tolzien, who has never thrown a regular-season pass, to Brees, a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion? Whitner can explain.

“He’s really good,” said Whitner, a six-year veteran. “He understands the reads. We can rarely trick him on the back end from a defensive-back standpoint and he knows where to go with the football … The other day in the game I thought he looked as good anybody out there on the football field.”

Indeed, Tolzien sparkled during San Francisco’s 17-6 win over the Vikings on Friday night. In his three second-half series, he completed 10 of 13 passes for 84 yards with an interception. Two of his incompletions were drops and his arm was hit as he threw on his interception.

Viewed as the No. 4 quarterback at the start of training camp, Tolzien entered after backup Colin Kaepernick on Friday. Josh Johnson then handled the fourth-quarter mop-up duty. Jim Harbaugh said that didn’t necessarily reflect the depth chart – Johnson could enter after Kaepernick on Saturday when the 49ers visit the Texans. Regardless, it’s clear Tolzien is in the mix to win the role as Alex Smith’s backup.

Harbaugh said Tolzien’s performance on Friday was a continuation of his training-camp work.

“He’s real accurate in practice and he was accurate in the game,” Harbaugh said. “He commanded the offense. He gets the ball out quick and makes some real accurate throws.”

After he was released by the Chargers last year after training camp, Tolzien, who was undrafted, was signed by the 49ers before the regular season and immediately immersed himself in the playbook. In fact, he slept in the players’ lounge for about a month as he got up to speed with the 49ers’ system.

He didn’t take a snap as a rookie – he was inactive for each game – but he did learn. And his knowledge of the offense has made him comfortable teaching others this season.

Whitner’s eyes were opened during a recent practice when Tolzien corrected wide receiver Brian Tyms after the undrafted rookie ran a lackadaisical fade route. Tolzien’s message: “Run the route like you’re ready to win the route.”

Harbaugh said Tolzien’s commands respect because his teammates see his work ethic. For his part, Tolzien says a year of experience has allowed him to be more assertive, and excited. He couldn’t wait to play in Friday’s game.

“It’s no different than going into a test,” Tolzien said. “You prepare yourself so when that time comes you’re ready to go and you look forward to the opportunity because you feel like you’ve got the answers to the test.”

Not that Tolzien has all the answers. Told about Whitner’s nickname, he smiled and momentarily seemed at a loss for words.

“That’s a humbling thing,” he said. “Brees is someone that I look up to and admire like a lot of the quarterbacks in this league do. I’m happy for it, but I’ve got a long way to go before I’m Drew Brees.”

** Rookie linebacker Cam Johnson and tight end Nate Byham did not attend today’s practice after not playing in the preseason opener. As noted in a previous blog, Aldon Smith (hip) is expected to be out about a week, according to Harbaugh.